About this book

A gold standard collection of Agrobacterium-mediated transformation techniques for state-of-the-art plant genetic engineering, functional genomic analysis, and crop improvement. Volume 1 details the most updated techniques available for twenty-six plant species drawn from cereal crops, industrial plants, legume plants, and vegetable plants, and presents various methods for introducing DNA into three major model plant species, Arabidopsis thaliana, Medicago truncatula, and Nicotiana. The authors also outline the basic methods in Agrobacterium manipulation and strategies for vector construction. Volume 2 contains another thirty-three proven techniques for root plants, turf grasses, woody species, tropic plants, nuts and fruits, ornamental plants, and medicinal plants. Additional chapters provide methods for introducing DNA into non-plant species, such as bacteria, fungi, algae, and mammalian cells. The protocols follow the successful Methods in Molecular BiologyT series format, each offering step-by-step laboratory instructions, an introduction outlining the principles behind the technique, lists of the necessary equipment and reagents, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls.

From the reviews of the second edition: "This book is intended as a laboratory manual for researchers using Agrobacterium tumefaciens for plant transformation. It covers the basics of culturing and transforming Agrobacterium ! . You don't expect a lab manual to be ideal ! reading, but I found this to be surprisingly readable. ! The book would be especially useful for someone just starting plant transformation work or changing to new plant species and ! it would also be useful reading for Masters students." (Heather Macdonald, Microbiology Today, November, 2006) "Methods in Molecular Biology opens ! a field concerning Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of plants. ! Each chapter is written by the leader in the field ! and offers a detailed manual of the transformation protocol. ! All users of this book will certainly appreciate the notes sections that bring additional information on potential difficulties in the protocols and alternative materials or methods. The book is the fountainhead of recent practical knowledge concerning Agrobacterium-mediated transformation and ! it will become the core manual ! ." (J. BRlZA, Biologia Plantarum, Vol. 51 (2), 2007) "The book's chapters are organized in a highly detailed fashion, providing readers not only with step-by-step protocols ! but also with a comprehensive list of equipment and materials. ! With such a rich source of information, organized to be easy to read and very simple to implement, the book should be considered a must for every plant biology laboratory. ! It will also be an excellent tool for training students, doctorates, technicians, and other laboratory personnel in the art of plant genetic transformation." (Tzvi Tzfira, Quarterly Review of Biology, Vol. 82, March, 2007)